Regional

2:32 pm

Tue May 22, 2012

NM Health Official Asked To Resign After Advocating Condom Use As Part Of Safe Sex

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The chief medical officer for the state Department of Health says she was asked to resign after giving a television interview in which she advocated condom use to slow the growth of sexually transmitted diseases among teens.

Chief Medical Officer Erin Bouquin says the interview on KOAT-TV aired Thursday, May 17, at 9 a.m. She says that by 10 a.m. she got an email asking her to meet with department Secretary Catherine Torres. In that meeting she was told she was being asked to leave because she hadn't met the expectations of the governor. But she says she suspects it was because of the interview.

The governor's office says Bouquin's departure was part of a reorganization. Deputy Secretary Wally Vette also resigned Thursday.